He says that…: λέει ότι, ρωτάει αν
Reporting other people's words: Η Μαρία λέει ότι είναι κουρασμένη. Ρωτάει αν έρχεσαι. Your first complex sentences.
λέω / νομίζω / ξέρω + ότι
ότι links what you say, think or know: Λέει ότι έχει δουλειά. Νομίζω ότι έχεις δίκιο. Ξέρω ότι μιλάς ελληνικά! NO comma before ότι — and the inner verb is a normal present.
- Λέει ότι έχει δουλειά.He says he has work to do.
- Νομίζω ότι έχεις δίκιο.I think you’re right.
- Η Μαρία λέει ότι είναι κουρασμένη.Maria says she is tired.
ρωτάω + αν
To report a yes/no question: Ρωτάει αν έρχεσαι στο πάρτι. Δεν ξέρω αν έχω χρόνο. The question mark disappears — the sentence becomes a statement.
- Ρωτάει αν έρχεσαι στο πάρτι.He’s asking whether you’re coming to the party.
- Δεν ξέρω αν έχω χρόνο.I don’t know if I have time.
- Ρώτα τον αν θέλει καφέ.Ask him if he wants a coffee.
With the question words
A wh-question keeps its word: Ρωτάει πού μένεις. Δεν ξέρω τι ώρα είναι. Πες μου πότε έρχεσαι! The word keeps its accent (πού, πώς) even without a question mark.
- Ρωτάει πού μένεις.He’s asking where you live.
- Δεν ξέρω τι ώρα είναι.I don’t know what time it is.
- Πες μου πότε έρχεσαι!Tell me when you’re coming!
Your turn
Choose the correct form.
The same topic at other levels
Често задавани въпроси
How do you say “he says that…” in Greek?
With «ότι» after verbs of saying, thinking or knowing: «Λέει ότι έχει δουλειά» (he says he has work), «Νομίζω ότι έχεις δίκιο» (I think you're right). No comma before «ότι», and the inner verb stays an ordinary present.
How do you report a yes/no question in Greek?
With «αν»: «Ρωτάει αν έρχεσαι στο πάρτι» (he's asking whether you're coming to the party), «Δεν ξέρω αν έχω χρόνο» (I don't know if I have time). The question mark disappears — the sentence becomes a statement.
Do Greek question words keep their accent in a reported question?
Yes: «Ρωτάει πού μένεις» (he asks where you live), «Δεν ξέρω τι ώρα είναι» (I don't know what time it is), «Πες μου πότε έρχεσαι!» (tell me when you're coming!). «Πού» and «πώς» keep their accent even with no question mark.